bates



(Nu Modem R. B. BATES SAFETY GONNEOTIDN FOR ELECTRIC GONDUGTORS.

Patented Feb. 5,1895.

WIZWESSES [MENTOR Q I I E mums PETERS cu. PNOQ-LITHQI WASHINGYON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orricni RALPH E. BATES, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES S. TOPHAM, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

.SAFETY CONNECTION FOR ELECTRlC CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,698, dated February 5, 1895.

Application filed June 20. l 8 94.

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH E. Bnrnsa citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Connections for Electric Conductors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe inventiomsuch as will enable oth- [o ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an automatic safety connection orcoupling for electric conductors, and the object of said invention is to com- I 5 pletel y interrupt the electric current between two supports should the conductor or wire become from any cause broken or severed between said supports, a broken depending wire charged with a strong electric current being very dangerous, and often roving fatal to life when coming in contact with a living creature and thereby completing the broken circuit of the electric current through said living creature. Now such dangerous and fatal accidents are entirely obviated by my invention.

In the accompanying drawings to which reference is made, Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1; and Fig.

c 3 is a sectional view of same.

Myinvention consists of a protectinghousing or cover A, supported preferably on a central pivot F of slotted or recessed plates B; and bolts or pins E and D; all constructed 3 5 of any preferred metal and all properly insulated. Plates B, are provided with vertical slots H near their outer ends, and engaging with bolts D, and horizontal slots G at their inner ends engaging with bolts E,

When my device is used in connection with overhead trolley railways, the under edges of plates 13 are curved to allow the trolley wheel to glide smoothly from one section of the condoctor to the next section.

The operation of my invention is as follows: lVhile conductor C, which is connected with plates B at its outer end, is drawn at the proper tension, said plates are held in place and prevented from dropping down ward by the hori- Serial No. 515,162. (No model-l zontal slots G at their inner ends engaging with bolts E, and slots H prevent the tension of the conductor from drawing said plates B in a horizontal direction off of and away from the supporting pins E; but when the conduc tor O is broken or severed the combined weight of the broken ends of the conductor and plates causes the forward ends of the plates to drop downward, thus becoming disengaged from the pins D, and then to slide forward cit the supporting pin E, thus becoming automati- 6o cally disengaged from the housing or cover A and completely cutting off the current at that point and rendering the broken ends of the said conductor harmless by falling to the ground.

If desired bolts E and D may be provided with holes in their outer ends and spring pins inserted therein, or other suitable device may be used to keep them in place and yet allow them to be withdrawn to readily release the plates B and a section of the conductor between two supports when desired for anycause thus severing the current without cutting the conductor; for instance, in case of a fire along the line; after which said section may be easily replaced at once, thus completing the current again and putting the line in working order with but little trouble.

The housing A is a complete protection to plates B during winter storms preventing 8o them from becoming clogged with ice or snow. Said housings and bolts E and D may be cast in one piece without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention- 1. In combination with poles or other suitable supports, a protecting housing or cover A; plates B, connecting a conductor with said housing and having vertical slots at their outer ends and horizontal slots at their inner o ends; and bolts for engaging said slots substantially as described.

2. A hanger for electrical conductors, comprising a housing and two plates, said housing having transverse bolts, and the plates 5 provided at their forward ends with vertical slots or kerfs, adapted to engage the forward bolts and a horizontal slot or kerf in their inner ends, engaging the inner bolts of said position by the tension of the electric conduchousing; the forward ends of the plates contor, substantially as described; to

nected to the electric conductor substantially as described.

3. In combination with a housing, provided with transverse bolts, plates having front and Witnesses: rear bearing surfaces adapted to engage said E. H. BATES,

CHARLES L. DU BOIS.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RALPH E. BATES.

bolts said plates being held in their normal 

